Blossoms of Love

by J. M. Jeffries

  “Thanks, boss.” The cameraman saluted Daniel and turned back to setting up his equipment.

  Greer walked quickly down the aisle. Daniel’s heart lurched at the sight of her. She looked so delectable in her skinny jeans, cable-knit sweater and knee-high boots.

  “Sorry I’m late.” Greer set a briefcase on the side of the float and opened it to pull out a folder. “Where shall I start?” She handed Daniel and Nick sets of stapled papers.

  “I didn’t know there were procedures for float safety.” Nick glanced through the papers.

  “Safety is no joke,” she retorted. “People have given their lives to make floats safe.”

  Nick grinned at her. “You said that with a straight face.”

  “I know talks about safety can be boring. I’m trying to make this fun. So go with the spirit.” Greer handed a set of papers to Nick’s dancing partner, Michelle, who started flipping through them with a serious look on her face.

  Greer started to explain where the fire extinguishers and the first aid kits were. “We try to be prepared for everything—earthquakes, fire, zombie invasion, alien apocalypse.”

  Nick shook his head. “Zombie invasion.”

  “It could happen,” Greer said with a tiny twitch at the corners of her mouth.

  Daniel wanted to laugh. She was good. No wonder his audience loved the segments he did with her.

  “Don’t forget Sharknado,” the cameraman put in.

  Greer pointed at him. “See. He understands. I can work with him.”

  “So, float lady,” Nick drawled, “what do we do in case of a Sharknado event?”

  “You’re on your own. Just remember the sharks tend to come down headfirst, so stay away from their teeth.”

  Daniel grinned as she explained the safety harness. “The float only goes five miles an hour. What do we need a safety harness for?”

  She held up two fingers. “Two words. Law and suit.”

  “That’s three words, but one if you just say lawsuit.”

  She patted him on the cheek. “All right.” She walked around the float, pointing out where people would be stationed. “As for Nick, you and your partner need to stay within the boundaries of your dance floor. The float is balanced, and all your weights are taken into account.” She pointed at the dance floor already in place. “Stay on that square.”

  She walked around the float, pointing out where the driver would be. “In case of a fire or other catastrophe, don’t just jump off the float. It is moving. The driver will come to a stop, and then you can exit the float. Does everyone know how to use a fire extinguisher?”

  “Doesn’t everybody?” Daniel said.

  She glanced over her shoulder at him. “Not a former mayor of New York. It was not pretty.”

  “Does the float driver have a valid driver’s license?” Michelle asked.

  “Of course, and for that...” She pulled a mint tin out of her pocket and handed it to Michelle. “You get a prize.”

  “So that’s a yes,” Michelle said with a small bubble of nervous laughter.

  “That’s a yes.”

  Michelle held up the tin. “I will treasure this forever.”

  Chelsea nudged Michelle. “You should. She seldom gives away her mints.”

  Daniel grinned at Greer. He was enjoying himself. He hadn’t expected Greer to make a topic as boring as safety into something fun. He knew his audience would enjoy it.

  His phone rang, and he stepped away from the group to answer it.

  “Hello, Daniel Torres,” came a strange voice. “My name is Virginia Courtland, and I’m Greer’s mother.”

  “Hello,” he said in a cautious tone, wondering what Greer’s mother wanted with him.

  “How are you doing today?” she asked chattily.

  “I’m good, Mrs. Courtland.”

  “Call me Virginia. I’m dying to meet you.”

  “You are?” Was this a good thing or not? He knew his parents liked the Courtlands but didn’t really socialize with them.

  “Of course. I’m calling to invite you to dinner. My husband and I have a ton of leftovers from Thanksgiving, and I’m a wizard at leftovers. It’s a tradition to find a hundred creative ways to consume them. Though I will admit, I’m not the adventurous cook your mother is.”

  “I’m sure you’re amazing.”

  She chuckled. “You keep believing that. We’ll see you tonight around six. I’m texting our address to your phone.” She disconnected.

  He saw Greer conversing with the cameraman. He sauntered over, wondering if her mother had called her with the same commands.

  “I just talked to your mother,” Daniel said, drawing her away from the cameraman.

  “Really? What did my mother want?” She frowned.

  “To invite me to dinner.”

  She looked shocked. “This is not good.”

  Surprised, he stared at her. “Are you ashamed of me?”

  She put a hand on his arm. “Heavens, no. It means my parents are butting into my personal life and intend to check you out. Don’t worry. They’re harmless.”

  Daniel wasn’t so sure. “Rule number one—fathers are never harmless where their daughters are concerned. Rule number two—mothers always have ulterior motives.”

  Her eyebrows rose. “My parents are pretty laid-back. This is a bold move on my mother’s part.”

  “Bold move or not, it has the touch of a royal command with a sledgehammer attached.”

  She grinned. “Don’t worry. You’ll do fine. They’re really pacifists. It’s pretty interesting, though. I haven’t gotten a royal command phone call. I have a feeling you are on your own.”

  A nervous twitch pulled at his eye. It was time to sink or swim.

  * * *

  Virginia and Roman Courtland lived in a three-story Victorian mansion a few blocks away from the Norton Simon Museum. A green lawn, shrubs and formal flower beds that rimmed the house, extending to the edges of the property. He pulled into a circular drive bordered by topiary in various shapes and surrounding a large fountain. As he parked his car, he noticed his was the only one. He didn’t know what to expect.

  He stepped out on the gravel drive to the sound of water trickling down a stone sculpture in the center of the fountain. Koi poked their heads up over the surface of the water to eye him as though they expected to be fed. He walked up the concrete steps to the veranda, wiping his suddenly sweaty palms on the sides of his pants, and rang the doorbell.

  Virginia Courtland was a carbon copy of her daughter—pretty and fashionable. She smiled at him and gestured him into a foyer. “Come in, Daniel.”

  He entered the well-lit foyer, smiling nervously.

  “You look even nicer in person than you do on TV,” Virginia said with a wide smile. Her black hair was cropped into a stylish bob, and she wore black slacks and a cream-colored silk blouse with a red-and-cream scarf around her neck. Diamonds glittered in her ears and on a bracelet around one wrist.

  She led him into a huge living room appointed with tasteful Arts and Crafts furnishings and Erté prints on the walls. He could see where Greer got her taste in vintage furniture. In front of a roaring fireplace, Roman Courtland stood, a glass of what looked like bourbon in his hand.

  “Good to see you again,” Roman said, stepping forward to shake his hand. “I had nothing to do with this. The dinner invite was my wife’s idea.”

  Daniel shook his hand. “Good to see you again, too. I appreciate the invitation.” His mother had drilled manners into him.

  “Can I get you something to drink?” Roman headed to a discreetly placed bar in one corner of the room. “I have bourbon, wine, vodka...”

  He wanted to order one of everything, but he didn’t think that would make a good impression on her pa
rents. “I’ll take a glass of white wine. Riesling, if possible.”

  “In my house, anything is possible,” Roman said with a hearty laugh. He opened a small undercounter refrigerator and set a bottle of wine on the counter. He opened it expertly and poured it into a wineglass that caught the firelight and reflected a rainbow of colors. Real crystal, Daniel thought.

  “Sit down,” Virginia ordered. “Tell me about yourself.”

  “As an interviewer,” he said, “I always find it more interesting to ask a direct question rather than something vague.”

  Virginia smiled sweetly at him. “As a mother, I prefer a more vague question because it gives a person more of a chance to trip up.”

  Daniel took a gulp of wine. “Nicely played, Virginia.”

  She grinned delightedly and sat back on the sofa, picking up her own glass of a red wine and taking a sip. She indicated a tray of appetizers. “Try one, please.”

  He looked around. “I was kind of expecting Greer.”

  “I’m sure she’ll show up later,” Virginia said with a wave of one hand.

  Daniel crossed one leg over the other and smiled, relaxing a bit, knowing she would be coming soon. “So, what do you want to know? You can either ask questions you already know the answers to in order to establish a baseline, or jump off a cliff and ask the questions you really want to know the answers to.”

  Virginia burst out laughing. “This is going to be fun.” She clapped her hands. “We were beginning to despair. Greer hasn’t had a date in over two years.”

  “Do you think that’s because she just chooses not to go out, or because no one has asked her out?” Daniel asked.

  “Because she chooses not to go,” Roman answered. He sat down next to his wife and popped a tiny quiche into his mouth. “Which is why we are so curious about you.”

  Daniel delayed answering as he looked over the selection of appetizers on the tray. He saw dumplings, tiny quiches, edamame, green chips of some type and three different dips. If his mother had been in charge, the appetizer tray would have had a hundred selections and would probably have substituted for a meal.

  “I’m not bragging,” Daniel said. “I have an interesting job and good communication skills. I own my own home free and clear, and I like cars and astronomy.”

  Virginia’s eyebrows rose. “Astronomy. That’s an unusual hobby that we’ll give you points for.”

  “Thank you.”

  “What are your intentions toward our daughter?” Roman asked.

  How to answer that one? He couldn’t tell them he was sleeping with their daughter and wanted to keep sleeping with her. What parent wanted to hear that? “We’re still in the exploration stage.” Where did he want the relationship to go? Greer was different from any other woman he’d known. With her he wanted to go slowly because he didn’t want to rush her. He wanted to build something...permanent. Yes, the idea of permanence with Greer sounded right.

  “That’s an interesting answer,” Virginia said.

  Daniel took a deep breath. “That’s the only answer you’re going to get.” He could understand parents wanting to protect their children, but Greer wasn’t a child. She was a grown woman, and on some level, their relationship was none of anybody’s business. Well, maybe his mom’s, since she knew everybody’s business anyway.

  The front door opened and a draft of cold air swirled into the living room. Greer appeared in the doorway, removing a scarf from her neck and unbuttoning her coat.

  “Good evening, parental units,” Greer said. She draped her coat over a chair and advanced into the room.

  “Darling,” Virginia said. “I knew you’d be here. It’s your favorite leftover night.”

  Greer rubbed her hands together. “Oh good, turkey and dumplings. I’m starved. Dad, I’d love a glass of chardonnay if you have a bottle open. Otherwise just whatever you have.”

  “Riesling?”

  “That’ll work.” Greer advanced into the room and bent to kiss Daniel on the cheek. Her lips were cool.

  “Thank you for rescuing me,” he replied.

  Her father handed a glass of Riesling to her, and she sat down on the chair next to Daniel. “Mom. Dad. Just so you know, the two of you and I will be having words about this situation.”

  Roman pointed at his wife. “She made me do it.”

  “Mom,” Greer said, her eyes narrowing, “we’ve had this conversation before. You’ve done this to Rachel and Chelsea but never to me. Daniel is off-limits.”

  “You misunderstand,” her mother said.

  “No, I don’t.” She took Daniel’s hand. “We’re going to eat turkey and dumplings. Then I’m going to be angry at you both.”

  “I’m glad to know you have priorities.”

  “Food always comes first.” She dragged him to his feet. “Let’s eat.”

  * * *

  When Chelsea suggested lunch away from the float site, Greer eagerly accepted. She needed to get away from the chaos of hundreds of volunteers laughing and talking, hammering, last-minute welding and the overpowering scent of flowers. Unfortunately, Rachel couldn’t make it. She had a meeting with their tax accountant.

  Their favorite restaurant was a small diner just off Colorado Boulevard. Since the day was warm and pleasant, Greer and Chelsea chose to sit outside on the sidewalk patio. Old-town Pasadena was crazy busy. Christmas shoppers hurried from store to store, laden with packages. Christmas music blasted from hidden speakers. Every store and lamppost was hung with Christmas lights and wreaths, and jolly Santas stood on street corners ringing their bells, red pots waiting for donations.

  Greer studied the menu while Chelsea people-watched.

  “Why do you do that?” Chelsea asked.

  “Do what?” Greer glanced up.

  “You always read the menu even though you order the exact same thing every time.”

  “Because I’m waiting for you to make up your mind.”

  Chelsea was a more adventurous eater than Greer. She would have been the first to eat chocolate-covered insects if they were on the menu.

  “Touché.” Chelsea went back to people-watching. “Your brutal honesty makes you the best sister ever.”

  “I know,” Greer said with a chuckle.

  After the waitress took their drink order, Chelsea asked, “How did it go with Mom and Dad last night?”

  “Mom and Dad skewering my date was...interesting. Though I have to admit, it could have been more brutal.” Her parents seemed to approve of Daniel. And Daniel had responded to their third degree with gentlemanly politeness. His parents had certainly raised him right.

  “They like Daniel,” Chelsea said. “They’re brutal only with people they don’t like.”

  The waitress returned with their sodas, and they ordered salads for lunch. Greer’s favorite was bacon-ranch salad with cheddar cheese sprinkled on top and as much bacon as the chef could load on the greens. Chelsea decided on a quinoa salad with mangoes.

  “I knew they would like him,” Greer replied, though a touch of anxiety had stayed with her long after she and Daniel had left for their own homes.

  “They didn’t like my soon-to-be ex-husband,” Chelsea said sadly. “I should have listened.”

  “We all make mistakes,” Greer commiserated. She’d often thought Chelsea’s desire to marry Christopher had been a rebellion against their parents’ disapproval.

  “Mom and Dad are happy because you’re seeing somebody. They think you’re too solemn.”

  Greer felt a silly grin spread across her face. “I’m happy I’m seeing somebody, too.”

  “How serious are the two of you?”

  Greer paused to think about her answer. “Serious enough.” Just looking at Daniel made her heart flutter and her pulse pound. And what he did to her body—Maybe that
wasn’t the right thing to think about with her too-observant sister.

  Chelsea’s eyes narrowed. “You’re being evasive. Don’t be. I’m living vicariously through your love life.”

  “I really like Daniel, but I don’t know where we’re heading. I’m enjoying the moment.” Her boldness in going to his office and seducing him almost made her blush. She’d never done anything so daring before. Though she had to admit the look of pleasure on his face made her want to repeat the action.

  Chelsea rummaged through her purse. “So is the readership of the Celebrity Buzz.” She held up a tabloid magazine.

  Greer gasped. Her photo was plastered across the front. “What is this?” She grabbed the magazine.

  “Came out this morning. Saw it while I was standing in line at the grocery store.”

  Across the top was a photo of her and Daniel eating at his parents’ restaurant. In the photo, she was looking adoringly at him, and his own gaze was heated as he eyed her. Over the photo was the headline Former Beauty Queen Meets Daniel Torres’s Family. Beneath the headline was the subheading “Is this a serious romance for one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors?”

  “No. No. No. No. No.” Greer opened the magazine, paging through it to find the story. The article, plastered with more photos of her and Daniel laughing and talking with his parents, Nina Russell and her husband, and Logan, read like a horror novel. “What am I supposed to do about this?”

  Chelsea shrugged. “The story is not unflattering. You do look fabulous in the photos.”

  Greer gazed in shock at the page. “Why is this important?” she asked. “The world’s in crisis and all this rag can think of is who Daniel is dating?” The effrontery of the idiots who wrote for this magazine! Could she sue them? Seeing her face plastered across the pages left a hollow, angry feeling in her.

  Chelsea leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table. “I will be the first to tell you, I love me some good celebrity gossip, but wow, when my own sister is under the microscope, everything is different.”

  Greer read the short article quickly. After all, the sensational photos already told most of the story. “This feels so judgmental.” For some reason the Celebrity Buzz was more interested in condemning her for stealing Daniel from some unnamed starlet. She hadn’t stolen him. What was their problem?